Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Champions League last-16 first leg between Real Madrid and Manchester City from the Bernabeu. Tonight's affair will be the first meeting between the two teams since the semi-finals of the 2015-16 European Cup, when Madrid booked their spot in the final courtesy of a 1-0 aggregate win. It should be a cracking encounter in the Spanish capital; be sure to stay tuned for all of the action!

Madrid are without the services of Eden Hazard through injury, while Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos are both on the bench tonight. Isco and Vinicius Junior have been selected alongside Karim Benzema in attack, while the impressive Federico Valverde features in midfield. There are no surprises at the back, though, with Ferland Mendy, as expected, getting the nod over Marcelo.

As for City, head coach Pep Guardiola has sprung a huge surprise by leaving Sergio Aguero and Fernandinho on the bench. Raheem Sterling is also among the substitutes having recovered from injury, meaning that a front three of Riyad Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus and Bernardo Silva will take to the field. Nicolas Otamendi is picked in central defence, while Bernardo Mendy get the nod at left-back. Some big calls from Guardiola here.

Los Blancos have actually reached four of the last six Champions League finals, but City have only made the semi-finals on one previous occasion and lost in the quarter-finals last season. The second leg between the two teams will take place at the Etihad Stadium on March 17, but both teams will be fully focused on tonight's affair. Kickoff is now just moments away!

Benzema is very much the lone forward for Madrid with Isco playing off the right and Vinicius wide on the left. The home side have had most of the ball in the early stages, although City are showing their intent by pushing high up the field at the Bernabeu.

Interesting to see Bale on the bench for Madrid tonight; Isco and Vinicius have been picked alongside Benzema in attack, but the Wales international will surely be used at some point in the first leg. The home side remain on the front foot in the Spanish capital.

Mahrez manages to work some space in a wide area, but there is no-one in the middle for the attacker and the chance evaporates. Not much from the visitors going forward in the opening 19 minutes, although Guardiola will be pleased as long as it stays 0-0 here.

It does appear that City have come for a 0-0 tonight as they are not too interested in breaking forward at the moment. Madrid continue to have lots of the ball but are struggling to make the most of some decent positions. Still goalless in the capital.

Jesus drives away from a couple of Madrid challenges before making his way into the home side's box, but Varane is across to make the tackle. Jesus has been impressive when he has been given the chance to drive at Madrid's defensive unit tonight.

CHANCE! Huge moment! First Ederson does so well to keep out a header from Benzema and then Vinicius somehow cannot convert the rebound! The ball fell for the Brazilian in a dangerous position but he was falling backwards and could not make contact.

Zidane watches on at the Bernabeu as the first period approaches its latter stages. Madrid have had the game's best chance thus far, but City have certainly provided a threat in the final third. The opening 43 minutes of this last-16 first leg have flown past.

City have had the ball in the last couple of minutes but have been unable to threaten Courtois between the home side's sticks. It hasn't been the best match thus far if we are being brutally honest, although Guardiola will surely be the happier of the two managers.

So there we have it; the referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Madrid had a golden chance to take the lead through Vinicius, but City have also had some big moments and came so close to scoring just before the referee's half-time whistle.

STATISTICS! Madrid shaded the first-half possession with 53%, while they had three attempts, one of which was on target. City actually had six attempts in the opening 45 minutes, with two of those on target. Just the one booking to report - Benjamin Mendy having his name taken for a late challenge, and the card will rule the Frenchman out of the second leg.

BENCH WATCH! City have already been forced into a change here with Fernandinho replacing Laporte, who limped off the field in the 33rd minute. However, Guardiola still has the likes of Aguero, Foden, David Silva and Sterling available ahead of the second period. Madrid, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Jovic, Bale, Kroos and Lucas Vazquez.

GOAL! Breakthrough! Madrid take the lead on the hour as Isco converts from close range following a clever pass from Vinicius. Otamendi was guilty of losing possession in a dangerous area, and the home side have taken full advantage to score here!

You do get the feeling that there is at least one more goal in this match, and City have some big-hitters on the bench. Madrid, meanwhile, also have Bale and Jovic warming up as the second period continues to develop. Much, much better game at the moment.

The home supporters are in fine voice here as their side continue to move the ball in the final third. Valverde breaks down the right before looking to deliver a cross into Benzema, but Ederson does well to make the claim. Still no sign of any substitutions here.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with City running out 2-1 winners on the night. Isco send Madrid ahead, but Gabriel Jesus levelled the scores before De Bruyne scored from the penalty spot. Huge result for the Manchester giants.